Flame cutting torch machine



June 21, 1949. E. s. LIVESAY I 2,474,153

, FLAME CUTTING TORCH MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I fizLivesa v k I w mi m.

June '21, 1949. E. G. LIVESAY FLAME CUTTING TORCH MACHINE Filed Nov. 19, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 21, 1949. E, G LWESAY 2,474,153

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FLAME CUTTING TORCH MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 19, 1945 E- EhLivaSa June 21, 1949. w sA 2,474,153

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Fiji l a 9 .EEL/ms y fimr Patented June 21, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLAME CUTTING TORCH MACHINE Everett G. Livesay; New Orleans, La.

Application November 19, 1945, Serial No. 629,366

11 Claims.

This invention relates to flame cutting torch machines of the motor driven, track guided and track retained type.

The general object of the invention is to provide a torch machine of the type described which is universally adaptable to work in any position, such as downward, or on vertical or curved surfaces or in inverted position overhead.

Stated more specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a torch machine in which the traveling carriage carries a universally adjustable torch holder with associated torch rest for spacing the torch tip from the workpiece, having adjustable tensioning means for impart,- ing the desired pressure of the torch rest against the workpiece, in any working position of the machine, and having means for immobilizing the tensioning means to hold the torch rest in the plane of the workpiece when the machine, including the torch rest, is moved off the workpiece preparatory to starting a cut at the edge thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a torch machine in which the carriage is provided with wheels at opposite sides on parallel axes in a common plane, adapted to run in lateral guiding and retaining grooves on a track, in which the axes of the wheels are individually rotatably adjustable to narrow or widen the wheel base of the carriage to take up lost motion between the track and carriage and also to adapt the carriage to travel on a curved track.

A further object of the invention is to provide a torch machine with adjustable wheels as described, in combination with a flexible track which can be employed either in straight or curved position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a torch machine and track assembly for making a circular cut in a cylindrical plate in a diametrical plane.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a track of rubber or other nonmetallic substance, having the bending characteristics of rubber.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a self propelled flame cutting torch machine having a driven friction traction element coacting tractively with a friction strip on the track.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the following description of a preferred and practical embodiment thereof proceeds.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of the following specification:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section,

2 of a flame cutting torch machine embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view, parts being broken away;

Figure 3 is a perspective View showing the machine working in overhead position, parts being broken away;

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a vertical section through a track assembly adapted to embrace a cylindrical plate, the torch machine being shown in elevation;

Figure 3 is a top plan View of Figure '7;

Figure 9 is a bottom plan View of the track assembly;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of the track assembly view from above;

Figure 11 is a section taken along the line ll-ll of Figure '7;

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a modified form of track;

.Figure 13 is a cross-section taken along the line l3-l3 of Figure 12, indicating also, in broken lines, the position of the torch machine;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of the core plate of the track.

Referring now in detail to the several Figures, and first adverting to the machine shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the reference numeral l represents the plate to be cut. Positioning lugs 2 are tack welded to the plate in proper positions to support the track. Each positioning lug carries a threaded stud 3. The track 4 which may consist of sections placed end to end, is of inverted channel shape in cross-section, as shown in Figure 1. At intervals, the track rests upon adjusting lugs 5, which extend laterally from one side of the track and are secured thereto by means such as the screws 6 and spacers 1. The extended portions of the adjusting lugs have slots 8 which slip over the studs. Wing nuts 9 on the studs permit the track to be fixed in adjusted position. The lateral sides of the track have V-shaped grooves l6 and the top face of the track has a longitudinal toothed rack strip l'l intermediate its sides.

- The torch machine includes a carriage l0, having the form of a closed casing, which houses a motor, change speed gearing, speed control means, a governor and other adjuncts with which the presentinvention is not concerned,

spacer foot 49 is to support the torch assembly with the torch tip properly spaced from the workpiece. In order to obtain smooth performance of the torch, it is essential for the spacer foot to contact the workpiece with a certain optimum resilient pressure, which may vary according to the surface over which the spacer foot moves. This tension is supplied by means of a coil spring Gil, which surrounds the sleeve 3| between the collar 52 and the remote bearing 3?, being anchored at one end to the collar and at the other end to the yoke. The spring must be set to diiferent tensions, according to different positions in which the machine is called upon to operate. For instance, when the machine is to travel vertically or in inverted position overhead, there is gravitational tendency for the torch assembly to fall away from the workpiece, and the spring must be set to such tension as to overcome gravity, and in addition, to apply the proper pressure to the spacer foot.

The torch assembly is set up and the spring 60 tensioned in the following manner. With the torch machine supported in any convenient position, the sleeve 31 carrying the yoke, is slipped on the torch rack bearing 3B and the clamp screw 34 tightened, making the sleeve and with it the collar 52 fast to said bearing. Then with the yoke clamp screw 39 loosened, the yoke 35 is turned on the sleeve in the winding direction of the spring Bil, until the proper tension is obtained. (This is a factor derived from experience.) Then the yoke clamp screw 39 is tightened, holding the spring in tensioned position. Now, the machine is placed in position on the track, say, in the inverted position shown in Figure 3. The clamp screw is now loosened to free the sleeve from the bearing 30 and'the torch assembly, including th sleeve, is swung until the spacer foot touches the workpiece. Then the clamp screw 34 is again tightened and the clamp screw 39 loosened, releasing the spring which transmits resilient pressure, at the desired tension, to the spacer foot, against the workpiece.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that in order to start the cut at the edge a of the workpiece, it is necessary to have the track extend some distance off the edge a and to start the machine off the edge a, so that the torch will be in motion when it crosses the edge a. If the machine were merely backed off the workpiece with the torch assembly under spring pressure, it is apparent that as soon as the torch and spacer foot go off the workpiece they would spring up above the plane of the workpiece so that upon returning in cutting direction the torch would collide with the edge of the workpiece.

This casualty is avoided in the present invention by the operator tightening the clamp screw 39 before backing the machine off the workpiece, so as to immobilize the spring and to fix the position of the yoke with the spacer foot in the plane of the workpiece. Then the machine is backed off, and when it. moves toward .the edge a of the workpiece, the torch is properly spaced to begin the cut, and the spacer foot rides smoothly onto the workpiece. After-the cut has been started, the operator loosens the clamp screw 39, and the spring takes control.

The torch rest arm 44 is normally so adjusted that the spacer foot is to the rear' of the torch tip, so that the torch can cut to .the remote edge of'the workpiece while still sustained in proper spaced relation thereto by the spacer foot.

Through the, provision of'certain of the adjustments hereinbefore described, the torch may be directed to any forward or rearward angle in the plane in which the cut is to be made. It may also be adjusted to make bevel cuts of any angle. To facilitate the setting of the torch to make any precise angle of bevel, the yoke is provided with an index 60, indicating a line perpendicular to the common plane of the wheels l5, passing through the axis of the post 4!. The post has a longitudinal line 6|, meeting a diametrical line 62 on its forward end. The post is set up in the yoke with the line 6| meeting the index 66', so that the diametrical line 62 also is perpendicular to the common plane of the wheels IS. The clamp 53 of the torch holder has a circular scale 63 on its end adjacent the end of the post 4|, which scale is read with reference to the diametrical line 62, to determine the setting of shown in Figures 7 to 11, this is a special adapta- Mrs tion of the invention for making circular cuts in diametrical planes in cylindrical shells. A practical utilization is the cutting off the upper ends of driven circular piles. In this form of the invention the torch is supported upon an annular track which surrounds the cylindrical workpiece, and which lies in a plane perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece. In other words, the common plane of the wheels I5 is perpendicular to the surface to be cut, instead of parallel thereto, as in the form of invention previously described.

In order that the torch assembly shall be swingable toward and away from the workpiece, as in the first described form, it is necessary to provide a bearing extension 64 of the torch rack, extending at r' ht angles thereto so that it lies parallel to the surface of the workpiece. This bearing extension is secured to the torch rack 65 by means of a fitting 66, secured to the end of the torch rack, and having a split clamp socket 61, receiving the end of the bearing extension 64. Except for the above modifications the torch machine is similar to that disclosed in connection with the first described form; consequently, for the sake of simplicity, the torch assembly 63 is more or less diagrammatically shown, a number of the adjustments being omitted. The track is composed of a flexible split band 69, adapted to surround the cylindrical workpiece 10, having lugs ll secured thereto at the edges of the split, and drawn together by the nut 72 into clamping engagement with the workpiece 10. At angular intervals the band is provided with the headed studs 13. Brackets are provided, such as the bracket 14, shown in Figure '7, having a vertical web with keyhole slots 15 fitting over the studs, and having a horizontal arm with spaced threaded track leveling posts 16. These posts have swivel heads 11 for supporting the track 18, and threaded extensions from the swivel heads, passing through slots 79 in the track. The swivel heads 11 are preferably polygonal and fit into recesses 80 on the under side of the track so that they cannot turn when the nuts 8! are applied to the ends of the threaded extensions for securing the track. The swivel heads 1'! are loosely peened over enlarged ends of the leveling posts. The leveling posts are operated by means of the sliding handles 82.

The track has grooves in its lateral edges receiving the wheels l5 of the torch machine, and a longitudinal rack bar 83 meshing with the m0! tor driven pinion It, on the under side of the torch machine.

Figure '9, which shoWs the under side "of the "track, indicates that it is made in circ'lflar sectrons 84 and '85 'adjoine'd by the hinge 'bolts 88 term 'a complete circle. "(iiafiite'r df th e'cilclllartrackis larger thanthelt df the Workpiece which n surrounds, so that it rests upon theleveling post TB in-spaced relation to the vertidal wan 0f the workpiece. o eration, the spacer rom "49 of the torch assembly presses the Wfirk'piece resiliently through the tension (if "the spring 60, and maintains the torch tip at proper cutting distance from the surface 'of the work'- piece. The torch maybe a'dj'uis'ted went Stfa'ight facros's or at any angleof b'e'V'el. Since the torch machine travels cieararound the workpiece, there is no problem involving imin'obilizing the spring '50, "as is necessary when the torch starts off the workpiece and moves --tow'ard the leading edge.

*Now, passing to the group 6f Figures 1 2 to '14, inclusive, these show a flexible track hf composite metal and rubber-like materi a'l construction, aidapte'd to fcllovv' curved -contours, such as the dines or a 'sl'iip. The track 8! comprises an 61011- ga te'd relatively wide, thin, resilient metal core strip 88, integrally embedded in a molded strip 89, of :rueber'br riihber like "material. The strip "89 is molded with the lateral -grooves 9E3 on -"op'- posite sides to receive the guide wheels of the torch machine, and with a rib 9 1 on the top, having teeth 92 on one side, engageable 'by the traction gear of the torch machine.

The plate 88 is preferably studded with permissions 92', which increase "its pliability, and

through which the molded substance 'for'm's continuous keys. at longitudinally spaced intervals the plate is provided with tubular 'thimbles '92 passing through larger perforations in the plate,

having shouldered 'heads93, resting against one side (if "the plate, and -thin skirts $4, which are upse'tagainst the opposite side of the plate, fixingthe'thiznblesto the plate. Theheads of the thirnbles terminate *fiush with the upper face of thein'olde'd strip'89. The-lower face of the'strip "$9 is preferably longitudinally recessed, as at 95, the lower ends of the thimbles projecting into the recess and terminating in the plane of the lower face of the strip.

The thimbles-are bored 'forthe passage or stud bolts 'ilfi, and'counterborediat the to'p'tore'c'eive ins-heads of said studbolts which abut shoulders '91, formed between the bore and counterbo're. The stud bolts preferably terminate flush with the upper ends of the thiinble's and have kerfs threadeds'tuds 102, which pass through the slots "Wand carry wing nuts 'flliwhich canbe tightfened against 'the'adjustin'g lugs. This construction permits'the track 'tobe adjusted relatively tothe positioning'lugs and worlzpiece.

'A'sindicatedin Figure '12, the track is'bendablei'nthe direction of its'depth dimension, and capable of conforming to surfaces ofcurvedo'r undulating contour. The closeness of spacing of the positioning'and adjusting lugsdepends upon the degree 'orcurvature of "theworkpiece, "said 8 lugs being relatively *closely spaced where the curvature is abrupt.

While I have in the above description disclosed what I believe to be preferred and practical features of the invention, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that the specific details of construction and arrangement of parts as described and illustrated, are by way of example and not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Flame cutting "torch machine comprising -a carriage having wheels at opposite sides on parallel axes, in a common plane, adapted 'to engage lateral grooves on the opposite sides of "a track, by which said machine is guided and retained, a torch rack extending transversely of said car- 'ri-age in a plane parallel to the plane of the wheels, a post journaled on the end of said torch rack, a torch holder longitudinally and rotatabl y mounted on said post, a torch rest including an arm carried by said post at an angle thereto having an end adapted to contact the workpiece to space the tip of the torch therefrom, and a spring "reacting between said torch rack and post for pressing said arm resiliently against the workpiece.

2. In a flame cutting torch machine of the track guided and retained, motor driven type, adapted to work in positions in which gravity acts in a direction to urge the torch away from the workpiece, a carriage, a torch rack extending from said carriage having a cylindrical bearing portion, a sleeve freely journale'd on said hearing portion having a split end terminating in clamping lugs with means for drawing said lugs together to clamp said sleeve fast to said hearing portion, a yoke having spaced "furcations journaled on said sleeve, one of said furcation's being split and having clamping lugs with means for drawing said lugs together to clamp said post fast to said sleeve, a collar fast to said sleeve, between said furcations and adjacent one of them, preventing longitudinal displacement --of said yoke, a coil spring about said sleeve'betwee'n said collar and the other furcation, anchored at one end to said sleeve and at the other to said yoke, a post carried by said yoke, atorch holder longitudinally and rotatably adjustable-on said post, a torch rest including an arm carried by said post at an angle thereto, having one end adapted to press'the workpiece through thetension of said coil spring, to space the tip of the torch from the workpiece.

3. In a flame cutting torch machine of'the track guided and retained, 'motor driven'type, adapted 'to'work in positions in which gravity acts in a direction to urge the torch away from the workpiece, a carriage, a torch rack extending from said carriage having a cylindrical bearing portion, a sleeve freely journaled on said bearing portion having a split end terminating in clamping lugs with means for drawing saidlugs together to clamp said sleeve fast to said bearing portion, a yoke having spaced furcations journaled on said "sleeve, one of said furcations being split 'and having clamping lugs with means for drawingsaid lugs together to clamp said post fast to said sleeve, a collar fast to said sleeve,'between said furcations and adjacent one of them, preventing longitudinal displacement of said yoke, a c'oilspring about said sleeve'between said collar and the other furcation, anchored at one "end to said collar and at the other totsaid yoke, a post carried by said yoke, a torchholderldn'gi- 9 tudinally and rotatably adjustable on said post, a torch rest including an arm carried by said post at an angle thereto, having one end adapted to press the workpiece through the tension of said coil spring, to space the tip of the torch from the workpiece.

4. Flame cutting torch machine as claimed in claim 1, including a fitting on said post having a bore, said arm sliding in said bore and being longitudinally adjustable therein to adjust the distance of the torch tank from the workpiece.

5. Flame cutting torch machine as claimed in claim 1, said arm terminating in an angularly adjustable section carrying a non-friction workpiece engaging element.

6. Flame cutting torch machine as claimed in claim 1, said torch holder being rotatably adjustable in a plane parallel to the axis of said post.

7. Flame cutting torch machine as claimed in claim 1, including a fitting adjustable on said post having a bore, said arm sliding in said bore and being longitudinally adjustable therein to adjust the distance of the torch tip from the workpiece.

8. Flame cutting torch machine as claimed in claim 1, the workpiece engaging end of said arm being to the rear of the projection of the torch axis at its point of intersection with the workpiece, whereby said post is supported when the torch flame is off the end of the workpiece.

9. A flame cutting torch machine having a pair of separate sets of laterally interspaced supporting wheels disposed in track guided and retained relation respectively with a pair of cooperatively laterally interspaced and longitudinally extending track elements, a torch rack extending transversely of the machine, said rack extending laterally from a side of the machine, a post journalled on the end of the torch rack, a torch holder longitudinally and rotatably mounted on said post, a spacer element for said torch extendin from said post and provided with a roller element at its free end, said roller element adapted to contact the work piece to space the tip of the torch therefrom and a spring reacting between said torch rack and said post for pressing said spacer element resiliently against the work piece.

10. The torch machine substantially as set forth in claim 9, wherein said torch holder is rotatably adjustable in a plane parallel to the axis of said post.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,188,894 Tyler Jan. 30, 1940 2,334,301 Young Nov. 16, 1943 2,389,585 Anderson Nov. 27, 1945 2,403,514 Franzen July 9, 1946 2,412,147 Hayes Dec. 3, 1946 2,429,686 Helmkamp Oct. 28, 1947 2,433,734 Bucko Dec. 30, 1947 

